Have not had surgery. My aneurysm is only 4.7 cm my cardiologist operates at 5.5 cm.Just doing a CT every 2 months.
@kanaazpereira Hello @redskin39,
I apologize for not responding earlier, but somehow I missed getting a notification about your post! I’m quite sure it’s a tech glitch because I see that Connect Mentors, whose fluency in responding to new members is beyond helpful, probably did not get notified either.
Thanks for the followup, @colleenyoung.
You may also notice that I moved your discussion and combined it with this existing discussion on thoracic aortic aneurysm, because I thought it might be beneficial for you to be introduced to the many members who have discussed the same.
If you are replying by email, you could click on VIEW & REPLY so that you can read through some of the earlier messages and meet some of our other members talking about their or their or their loved ones’ experiences.
Here’s a great article from Mayo Clinic that might help your search for answers:
– What are the heart risks associated with testosterone therapy? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/mens-health/expert-answers/testosterone-therapy-side-effects/faq-20090015
I also encourage you to view these discussions on Connect:
– https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/facebook-live-the-truth-about-testosterone-and-mens-health-with-dr/
– https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/low-testosterone/ (although this is an older discussion, @roush writes about Androgen and heart issues, and I’m hoping he will return with more insight).
While we wait for others to join in, I’d like to invite Mentors @predictable and @hopeful33250 to see if they have any thoughts or suggestions as well.
@redskin39, we look forward to getting to know you; may I ask if you could share a few more details? When were you diagnosed with thoracic aortic aneurysm? Have you asked your doctor about taking testosterone supplements?
Thank you Kanaaz. I did as my doctor about the supplement he said it could cause more damage, but made light of it. I am 73 years old, that may be the reason. I was diagnosed on November 17, 2017. I am borderline diabetic, never smoked, never drank, so other than discovering the aneurism I am in fairly good health. I have taken Norvasc 5mg for more than 20 years, and Pravastatin for about 15 years. These are the only 2 prescription drugs I have taken on a regular basis up till now. The testosterone supplements made me more energetic, seemed to be more mentally alert. New medication seems to make me weak, can’t sleep, depressed, lack of motivation.
Liked by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator
morninglory
@morninglory
@morninglory
Posts: 26
Joined: Oct 01, 2016
I had surgery for aortic aneurysm 7/29/16 and am a very senior citizen (old) and it went very well and recovery also went smoothly. Had a great surgeon at Mayo, Dr. Pochettino. This was done at the Rochester Clinic, cannot find enough praise for the doc and all his assistants and all the nursing staff.
crhp194
@crhp194
@crhp194
Posts: 62
Joined: Apr 27, 2016
@morninglory I had surgery for aortic aneurysm 7/29/16 and am a very senior citizen (old) and it went very well and recovery also went smoothly. Had a great surgeon at Mayo, Dr. Pochettino. This was done at the Rochester Clinic, cannot find enough praise for the doc and all his assistants and all the nursing staff.
I second morningglory’s post. I had the same surgery with the same doctor on 5/10/2016. I had zero problems after the surgery. Mayo is a great clinic for heart problems. Recovery was swift and no particular problem in the hospital. Cannot say enough good about the hospital. The hospital has plenty of help and on the open heart floor, there is 1 very competent nurse for every two patients. Every nurse I had was extremely competent and kind.
axels
@axels
@axels
Posts: 8
Joined: Nov 18, 2017
@colleenyoung Hi @michellr,
Welcome to Connect. I moved your message to this discussion to introduce you to other Connect members who are talking about thoracic aneurysm. Interestingly @aldona like you felt it was like having a time bomb inside her. @jbsb93 opted to have surgery while @clevelandme decided against it.
I’m also tagging Bruce (@ch246cf10) to bring him into the conversation.
There are many factors to consider when making such an important decision. I encourage you to continue to share your thoughts and ask questions here with people who have “been there”. Sometimes it just helps to write it down.
Colleen
Connect Community Director
My dissecting aneurysm was measured 6.1 cm last September. I live in Palm Desert , Ca. and the doctor told me they
cannot do it at the Eisenhower hospital. Either Mayo, UCLA or Cedars. Do I qualify with Medicare and AARP at Mayo?
I don,t want to wait too long.
oldkarl
@oldkarl
@oldkarl
Posts: 604
Joined: May 25, 2016
@colleenyoung Hi @michellr,
Welcome to Connect. I moved your message to this discussion to introduce you to other Connect members who are talking about thoracic aneurysm. Interestingly @aldona like you felt it was like having a time bomb inside her. @jbsb93 opted to have surgery while @clevelandme decided against it.
I’m also tagging Bruce (@ch246cf10) to bring him into the conversation.
There are many factors to consider when making such an important decision. I encourage you to continue to share your thoughts and ask questions here with people who have “been there”. Sometimes it just helps to write it down.
Colleen
Connect Community Director
@axels I believe you do. What you should do is simple. First, make sure that Mayo (or the others) send the bill to both Medicare and AARP. They will send you the money, as much as they will pay, especially if you have plan F or G. Now, this is incredible important. Put that money in your bank account, and pay the bill with your plastic. DO NOT sign the check and send it to the clinic or whatever, especially MAYO. They will lose it in their incredibly old fashioned system, and tell you that you did not pay the bill yet. So just make sure that you have a VERY transparent process of getting the bill paid. Se came close to going to court over this one.
oldkarl
@oldkarl
@oldkarl
Posts: 604
Joined: May 25, 2016
@michellr Thank you. I am very aftraid of the surgery and to make matters worse I am a cardiac nurse! I am afraid of a stroke, PE, and death during surgery and sudden death if i dont. Do i just go to a local surgeon , i live in Chicago area, or do i go somewhere else. This is stressing out my life. I have humana hmo. Can i even go somewhere like mayo
@michellr Call Humana, and ask to talk to THEIR nurse/counselor. Humana has been very helpful to me in these matters.
crhp194
@crhp194
@crhp194
Posts: 62
Joined: Apr 27, 2016
@colleenyoung Hi @michellr,
Welcome to Connect. I moved your message to this discussion to introduce you to other Connect members who are talking about thoracic aneurysm. Interestingly @aldona like you felt it was like having a time bomb inside her. @jbsb93 opted to have surgery while @clevelandme decided against it.
I’m also tagging Bruce (@ch246cf10) to bring him into the conversation.
There are many factors to consider when making such an important decision. I encourage you to continue to share your thoughts and ask questions here with people who have “been there”. Sometimes it just helps to write it down.
Colleen
Connect Community Director
The Mayo hospital sends all bills to Medicare and your supplement. With the Clinic, you pay the bill and Medicare and AARP reimburses you. I have had no problems with Mayo billing. I don’t think you will either as long as you know that the clinic does not get reimbursement from Medicare or AARP. If you cannot afford to pay the clinic for tests, talk to Mayo. The clinic will work out something.
In April it will be 3 years ago that my arising aorta dissected on a Sunday morning at 7 am sharp. Horrific pain and a twenty mile trip to the nearest hospital in Gainesville, GA. Emergency surgery saved my life very shortly before I was to expire. I heard the surgeon tell my wife that it was going to be very difficult and that she should say goodbye while she still could. I am now 82 years old, keep my blood pressure as low as possible and swim every day. I know the damned thing could pop on me again, but in the meantime I am enjoying life and a couple glasses of red wine per day (to keep the doctor way).
Liked by Jamie Olson
@colleenyoung Hi @michellr,
Welcome to Connect. I moved your message to this discussion to introduce you to other Connect members who are talking about thoracic aneurysm. Interestingly @aldona like you felt it was like having a time bomb inside her. @jbsb93 opted to have surgery while @clevelandme decided against it.
I’m also tagging Bruce (@ch246cf10) to bring him into the conversation.
There are many factors to consider when making such an important decision. I encourage you to continue to share your thoughts and ask questions here with people who have “been there”. Sometimes it just helps to write it down.
Colleen
Connect Community Director
i have not written before but had a question I was diagnosed with a thoracic aortic aneurism in may of 2016, It as 4.2 I was told to watch it and have another c t scan in 6 months in jan of 2017 (aprox 6 mths) it had gone to 4.7 again wait 6 moths in july of 2017 had it checked again only this time it was done with contrast this time it was 4.5 I was told to have it checked in 6 myths. in jan of 2018 i had it done also with contrast all 4 times i had the ct scan using the same machine the doctor that read the scan was different this time it was 4.4
I am now told to ck it in 1 yr my question is it normal for it to get smaller or apear smaller?
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor
michellr
@michellr
@michellr
Posts: 15
Joined: Jan 30, 2016
@aldona I qwas diagnosed for a thoracic aorta aneurysm this month. Also had syrgery for a triple A Abdominal aorta aneurysm three years ago. I am looking for reassurance due to my magic magnifying mind…seems like I have a time bomb ready to go off. How did or how are you dealing with this aldona @jbsb93
I felt the same & had the surgery at 4.8. I couldn’t live with the bomb but the fear of it developing elsewhere is bad too!
@aldona I qwas diagnosed for a thoracic aorta aneurysm this month. Also had syrgery for a triple A Abdominal aorta aneurysm three years ago. I am looking for reassurance due to my magic magnifying mind…seems like I have a time bomb ready to go off. How did or how are you dealing with this aldona @jbsb93
Where was your aneurysm located. I have been told that the higher it is the more difficult it is to correct? Jim
michellr
@michellr
@michellr
Posts: 15
Joined: Jan 30, 2016
@johnwburns I was diagnosed 4 months ago with an aneurysm on my ascending aorta, 4.3 cm. I’m 66 years old. My father died from a dissected (burst) aortic aneurysm when he was 60. The recommendations seem to vary as far as blood pressure control to prevent dissection. Some say keep the systolic pressure below 140 mm Hg. Others say to get it below 120 mm Hg. Who’s right?
I can’t believe your walking around with a dissecting aneurysm. Why!????
michellr
@michellr
@michellr
Posts: 15
Joined: Jan 30, 2016
@aldona I qwas diagnosed for a thoracic aorta aneurysm this month. Also had syrgery for a triple A Abdominal aorta aneurysm three years ago. I am looking for reassurance due to my magic magnifying mind…seems like I have a time bomb ready to go off. How did or how are you dealing with this aldona @jbsb93
Between my heart & the arch before the 3 arteries
@sherylb
interesting. I also was born with intraventricular hole in my heart and just had tricuspid valve surgery Dec. 2016. Had open heart surgery when I was 10 and now again at 65. How did you do with the valve surgery?